Conduct and Grievance

Student Code of Conduct and Administrative Review

It is important that we hold both organizations and individuals accountable for their actions. Students and organizations are subject to the Student Code of Conduct. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct by individuals are always adjudicated by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR). Violations by organizations may be adjudicated by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, or may be remanded to the Associate Director for Student Involvement for administrative review. Adjudication or administrative review of an organization’s alleged violation(s), do not, in any way, replace or supersede the authority of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities in the adjudication of an individual’s alleged violation(s). 

The Administrative Review process is intended to prevent recurring policy violations and negative incidents by promoting organizational accountability. An Administrative Review may arise when an organization fails to follow designated administrative procedures, engages in activities that violate the terms of campus service providers, is in violation of the organization’s constitution and bylaws, or otherwise damages or puts at risk the reputation of the university and/or the Student Involvement program at the University of West Florida.

In the Administrative Review, the Associate Director for Student Involvement will investigate the alleged incident by speaking with witnesses or participants, and will meet with the organization’s officers to discuss the situation. At this time the organization will have the opportunity to have its case heard by the Associate Director. After assessing the situation, the Associate Director will decide an appropriate sanction for the club. Sanctions will reflect the educational nature of the institution, and will often relate to the activity or privilege associated with the incident (such as Travel Probation or the suspension of reservation privileges). Sanctions may include probationary periods, suspension of status, access to resources, or privileges, or stipulations related to the organization’s activities.

If the organization feels that the sanction is unreasonable, the organization may appeal to the Executive Director, Student Involvement and University Commons, who will then have the option to uphold, amend, or revoke the initial sanction. The appeal must be in writing and address the rationale for appeal. The Executive Director may ask for more information and/or request to meet with the organization. A final appeal may be made to the Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee. Grounds for all appeals are limited to the following: (a) the student organization’s rights were violated in the hearing process; (b) new information is discovered that was not available at the time of the hearing; (c) the information presented does not support the decision; or (d) the sanction(s) imposed were not appropriate for the violation.

Disputes Internal to the Organization

Registered Student Organizations are encouraged to adopt and implement their own procedures to ensure fundamental fairness for responding to member conduct that is disruptive or damaging to the organization and its purpose. Student organizations should contact the Associate Director for Student Involvement for guidance or to learn about other resources when organizational procedures fail to resolve the matter.

Violations

Any violation of the policies or regulations by a Registered Student Organization may result in the loss of the organization's registered status. All Registered Student Organizations:

• May be subject to disciplinary action as a result of violations of federal, state, or local laws not otherwise addressed in university policies;
• May be subject to disciplinary action as a result of actions of individual members of the organization undertaken while representing the organization;
• Shall be responsible for all activities and/or damages resulting from its events. A Registered Student Organization must exercise reasonable caution to ensure that its events, and agents acting on its behalf, do not cause damage to the property of students, university employees, other organizations, or the university; do not harm or constitute serious danger to the personal safety of a member of the university community or guests and do not obstruct or seriously impair university run or university authorized activities.

Student Engagement reserves the right to administer the privileges associated with being a Registered Student Organization. If an organization fails to adhere to the guidelines outlined above, it will be subject to review by Student Involvement. Action will be taken if deemed necessary and may include the issuing of a warning, probationary period, or suspension of the organization or Registered Student Organization privileges.